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Big Black Dog: Ol' Fashioned Fudge Brownies

February 24, 2009

Ol' Fashioned Fudge Brownies


This is my sister's recipe and it's been our family's Brownie Recipe for as long as I can remember. I must confess, and this is difficult from a chocolate addict, but I don't care for Brownies. And as unAmerican as it might be I don't like Chocolate Chip Cookies either!

Fudge Brownies was submitted by my sister and published in "Family Treasured Recipes" a fundraising cookbook organized by the Schnee Elementary School PTA. Schnee was the school I attended while living in Cuyahoga Falls, OH in the '60s. We lived in Cuyahoga Falls for 3 years and I remember having a crush on Brad Lutz the entire time I lived there. On moving day, Brad sort of hung out around our house all day long. :) While I was growing up, my Dad was transferred here and there and everywhere and we averaged about 2 years in any given place. I was sad to leave our home and friends in Cuyahoga Falls but at the same time I was excited to move back to Michigan.

I made the Brownies for my husband on Valentine's Day. And Mr. Tastebud's ate every single one and he was very happy! I decided to up the ante a bit and added a TBL of Nocello, an Italian Walnut Liqueur. Although I only had a few bites of brownie, I do think they were much better with the Nocello! It added a deep buttery walnut flavor and intensified the chocolate.

Nocello has quite an interesting history best described by Internet Wines.

"Nocello, from the Emeligia-Romagna region of Italy, reigns as the pride of Modena, Italy. It was first produced by Monasteries in the Middle Ages as a medicinal curative, but was soon recognized as a sacred treat. According to local superstition, the green walnuts must be picked on Midsummer's Day. The time of picking is essential because of the delicate and ever-changing flavor of the nut. The walnuts must be picked and shelled delicately, then they are soaked in brown oak casks of alcohol in their shells for two years. Distillation follows the aging process, secret ingredients are added, and then the Nocello is ready. When done properly, this long and delicate process creates a velvety chocolate-colored liqueur with hints of sweetness and a slightly bitter finish. It is also known as a digestive aid."





Fudge Brownies
Recipe adapted from my sister, Sherry

2 sq baking chocolate
1/3 c. butter
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. flour
1/2 c. chopped nuts

Optional:
1 TBL Nocello
Nuts for topping

Melt chocolate and butter together. Beat in sugar, eggs, vanilla, nuts and Nocello. Add flour, baking powder and salt sifted together to above mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes in a 8x8" greased pan. Do not over bake brownies.





My Brownies laced with Nocello are my entry in Fiesta Italiana hosted by Maryann of Finding La Dolce Vita and Marie of Proud Italian Cook







After our last little blizzard, the sky was such a gorgeous blue I could not resist snapping a few pictures of our property and sharing them.












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10 Comments:

Blogger Kathleen said...

They look delicious, Michelle! I'll eat yours..
Please join in the St Patrick's Day Party on my blog...Mr. Linky will be up for you to link your blog to The Party..hope you will come!

February 24, 2009 at 5:27 PM  
Blogger NKP said...

What a beautiful house! I envy your land...
You could fit my semi in your barn with lots of room leftover for my neighbours' houses..
I love brownies, they look great - thanks for the tip about the walnut liquor.

February 24, 2009 at 5:45 PM  
Blogger Elyse said...

Your property looks gorgeous--as do those brownies! No wonder this is such a cherished recipe--they look delicious!

February 24, 2009 at 6:42 PM  
Blogger artis1111 said...

I love the photo of the red barn!!! Would you let me have permission to paint it?

February 25, 2009 at 7:05 AM  
Blogger Michelle said...

Kathy,

Of course you can paint my barn! I'd love it!!! Let me know if you need any more views of my barn. I've got plenty more, from different seasons, if you need them.

Your Ladybug mural is so cute. The cricket soundtrack on your blog made my cat perk up his ears!

I have a BFA and did show in MI before I changed careers.

February 25, 2009 at 7:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Michelle..This is an outstanding post! Thanks so much for joining us at our festa! :)

February 25, 2009 at 10:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How absolutely lovely!! I mean your home and property! The brownies looked yummy too, but the barn is out-a-sight!

February 25, 2009 at 9:49 PM  
Blogger Proud Italian Cook said...

Michelle, I love how you uped the ante, nice touch with those gorgeous brownies. Your home and property looks beautiful! Thanks so much for joining us!

March 1, 2009 at 10:34 PM  
Blogger Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I just discovered your blog from the Italian fiesta. Your brownies sound fabulous. You are the second person in two days that's mentioned Nocello. I'm not familiar with it but it would be great in brownies with the walnut flavor. I'll have to keep an eye out for it.....probably will have to wait until I go to a big city. Not likely to find it here in the mountains.
Sam

March 3, 2009 at 12:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Those brownies look award-winningly beautiful! Truly...you could probably go into business baking and selling those for gift baskets or something...very lovely.

Your photos of house/property are gorgeous...I think there is just enough room on that porch for the Whisk Chicks to all sit on a sunny day looking through cookbooks and chatting...yep, I do. LOL. Love the barn, the view of the snow, etc. Lovely, all of it.

March 7, 2009 at 9:21 AM  

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